Bill hiding handgun permit records from public advances

NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to seal Tennessee's handgun carry permit records from public scrutiny is advancing in the Legislature.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Ferrell Haile of Gallatin unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 8-0 on Tuesday and is headed for a vote by the full Senate. The companion bill was approved 84-10 in the House last month.

Both versions of the bill would allow for the media and Safety Department to confirm whether someone who had run afoul of the law was a permit holder, but only by providing a legal document or other record "that indicates the named person is not eligible to possess a handgun carry permit."

The legislation doesn't create an exception for political operatives and lobbying groups to obtain the entire set of names and addresses.

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